Why should a teenager who adores learning Torah spend much of his day learning math, English, history and science? Is it just about satisfying parents’ expectations and getting into college? I’d like to suggest answers.

1. The parents of a boy who was dorming at a yeshiva received a report card filled with “doesn’t do homework” comments. When asked by his parents what was going on, the boy replied that he was spending many hours each evening learning in the Beit Midrash, which he assumed was more important than math homework. The father said that this was a question for a great rabbi.

Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, to the surprise of the boy, said that he should learn less to enable him to dedicate time to his secular subjects. Rav Kaminetsky explained that if a person gives less than 100% of his capability to any aspect of his life, that settling for mediocrity will end up effecting his standards for Torah learning and observance. We should have a standard of excellence in everything we do.

2. In my hands (at the Greer Baby Bash) was the Ayil Hameshulash, a math book written by the famed Vilna Gaon. We’ve all heard about the Gr”a sitting before Yom Kippur and crying over the few minutes of bittul Torah (wasted time) in the past year. Why did a great rabbi write a math book?

One can not understand the laws of Eruv without math, family purity without science, Bible without history, or deliver an eloquent Torah discourse in verbal or written form without a command of English.

3. The first time I heard Rav Aharon Lichtenstein of Yeshivat Har Etzion speak, he compared Aharon Cohen in the wake of the Golden Calf to Lady Macbeth (“out, out damned spot”). Without fail, every Friday night dvar Torah he gave about the parsha included a reference to English literature.

Literature speaks to the full range of Human experiences. Poetry, novels, plays and short stories address the challenges that people face, and give articulate expression to ideas and philosophies.

Our Humanities Department chairperson, Mrs. Carla Greer, is the epitome of each of these ideals. She truly stands for and demands a standard of excellence. She has raised our students’ discourse to a most impressive level. Most importantly, Mrs. Greer’s mission is to bring students closer to G-d and Torah through the medium of literature.

May G-d repay the Greers for their dedication to the children of others by enabling them to raise their newborn daughter Adina Shira as a role model of these ideals.

This past Tuesday, Jews around the world fasted and prayed on Asara B'Tevet, commemorating the siege of Jerusalem by the ancient Babylonians.

In order to make the day a meaningful experience, the students of WYHS had the opportunity to hear the well renowned Rabbi Eliyahu Shapiro speak. Rabbi Shapiro, the Mara D'Atrah of Sha'arei Tefilah in North Miami Beach spoke passionately about the importance of one being moser nefesh, sacrifcing one's self, for the Land and People of Israel. Rabbi Shapiro relayed his message through personal experiences, stories of his father, and beautiful words of Torah.

The program continued with an inspiring PowerPoint presentation on the accomplishments of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon by Mr. Adam Dobrick, director of college preparatory studies. The talk focused on the unbelievable life and accomplishments of one of Israel's most important political and military figures.

Stressing the heroism and courage of Prime Minister Sharon, Mr. Dobrick encouraged the students to learn from the examples of mesirut nefesh - sacrificing one's self, set by Ariel Sharon throughout his entire life.

Tuvia Brander ('06), Amy Milin ('06), Ziyona Rantz ('06), Steven Marin ('06), Kayla Kowal ('06), Yoni Brander ('07), and Ariella Davis ('09) all worked tirelessly on the presentations and helped make the day more inspiring and educational.

We wish the Prime Minister of Israel a refuah shleima - a speedy recovery and hope that next year we will all be celebrating in Yerushalayim together.

This past weekend was an exciting one for the boys varsity basketball team, marked by a team shabbaton followed by a highly anticipated game against Hillel North Miami Beach.

The Shabbaton was held in honor of Coach Kornbluth’s seven years of unrelenting dedication to WYHS and the varsity basketball team. In addition, the weekend was held to promote team unity, a theme expounded upon by Coach Kaweblum and his d’var Torah Friday night at the Baratz home.

Coach compared the twelve members of the Storm to the twelve sons of Ya’akov—while each possessed his own traits and abilities, they come together to form a cohesive unit, just as the Storm has this season. After a wonderful lunch at the Goldberg’s, the team’s excitement was palpable as we counted down the hours until game time.

The first half of the game proved to be an uphill battle for the Storm—at the half, WYHS's score was down and the tension was obvious. However, the players fought back in this groundbreaking game. Josh “Superman” Goldberg (’06) led the team with 15 points, and Captain Daniel Poliak (’06) shut down the Hillel offense with his swarming defense.

Anosh Zaghi (’08) and Elie Baratz (’08) both displayed composure under pressure and executed some crucial plays during the last moments of the game. Brian Surasky (’06) and Moshe Genet (’06) both hit some key shots during the last quarter and helped put WYHS over the edge. The teamwork every player displayed, the amazing coaching, and the intense support demonstrated by the fans all helped the Storm in their first victory over Hillel, with a final score of 42-38.

This underdog victory proved that every sacrifice the team made was well worth it. With an astonishing 9-3 record, the Storm stands together, ready to face any challenge the rest of the season may bring.